SSI defines strategic,
actionable goals and helps
organizations use strategic communications to create, strengthen or preserve
opinion favorable to the attainment of goals among key audiences and stakeholders.

The
purpose of a strategic communications plan is to integrate organizational programs,
services, public education and advocacy efforts. By planning a long-term
strategy, an organization will be better positioned to be proactive and strategic
in relation to environmental factors vs. reactionary.

A strategic plan will help deploy resources more
effectively and purposefully by highlighting shared and interrelated
opportunities in programs and public initiatives.

The
creation and adoption of a strategic communications plan often represents a
significant step for an organization. For many, the adoption of a plan is a cultural shift toward communications and a clear recognition that
all the organization’s efforts have a communications element.

Public
education, grassroots organizing, research, public advocacy, direct services and
fundraising are all communications tasks vital to the health and success of a
organization, both nonprofit or for-profit.

A
strategic communications plan has the power to transform an organization, both
in terms of credibility and community status, as well as the way you work
together as a team to achieve your mission and vision.

There
are six things to know before implementing a communication plan: